Introducing: Simply Real Portraits {Kansas City Child Photographer}

I've had this idea kicking around in my head for awhile....it has changed and changed and been discarded and re-invented and finally I think, its ready.

So, here it is...

Robichaud Photography, Kansas City's premier portrait studio is proud to announce the opening of a new division: Simply Real Portraits.

Over the past 5 years, I have worked hard to turn my love of photography into a successful boutique studio, serving the Kansas City metropolitan area. My fabulous clients are based here in the Northland, around the country and throughout the world. I have been honored to have my work been published in the Random House publication The Big Book of Babies, as well as decorate St. Lukes Northland Hospital's Maternity units, pediatric offices and 3D Ultrasound clinics. I try to stay active in the community and work with numerous local and national charities.

But, I have always had more of a vision for my work....a vision that includes the affordability of Professional Custom Portraiture for everyone. I truly believe that you shouldnt have to "settle" for a run of the mill chain store, that at every budget, a priceless heirloom of your child should be within reach.

So, I conceived Simply Real Portraits......

What is Simply Real??

a Studio experience for you and your child that wont break the bank

an Opportunity to work with a Professional Photographer who will interact and play with your child instead of working with a minimum wage employee shouting "Here, look here" in an obnoxious voice for 10 mins or shaking a feather duster in your child's face.

the Choice of the New Consumer.

At Simply Real, your session focuses on your child's natural expressions and playfulness....with no frills or fluff, your child is photographed in our natural light studio just enjoying his surroundings.

your Simply Real session is a 30 minute studio session (all sessions are done at our natural light Studio....for an outdoor location, please visit http://www.susanrobichaud.com/) with one of our Child Portrait Specialists.

your Simply Real session includes up to 3 children (additional children, please add $15 each) for a $50 session fee (covers time and talent only, no prints).

your Simply Real session is for capturing your child's fleeting moments at this special age....whether it be 8 months, or 8 years....that lost tooth, that first smile...those Real moments.

your Simply Real session includes up to 15 images of your child to choose from, in a private online gallery.

What does a Simply Real session cost?

a Simply Real session costs $50 for up to 3 children (additional children, please add $15/each), which covers time and talent only, no prints.

a Simply Real Prints Package starts at $75

so for a $50 session fee and the smallest package of $75, you can experince a Child Portrait Specialist in a custom Studio.

With Simply Real, you *can* afford better than the chain stores, or a DIY job, which leaves you frustrated and tired.

What else can I tell you about Simply Real?

all Simply Real sessions are scheduled (at this time) 1-2 days per week (please call 816-260-1529 for the current open dates) starting at 930am, and ending at 2pm. Appointments are scheduled every 45 minutes, so please be on time.

your Simply Real session will be fun!! They are all about your child, so you can relax and watch our Specialists capture those never-ending fabulous expressions.

your Simply Real session will be handled by a Child Portrait Specialist, personally trained under Susan Robichaud of Robichaud Photography (please note that during transition times while we are hiring and training new personnel, all Simply Real sessions will be photographed by Susan herself. All Simply Real photographers will be supervised until they are trained to Susan's satisfaction).

The new Simply Real website will be launched soon, and that address will be:

http://www.simplyrealportraits.com/

The blog address for Simply Real is:

http://simplyrealportraits.blogspot.com/

We are currently booking these dates:

Thursday August 13
Tuesday August 25

Please call 816-260-1529 or email simplyrealportraits@gmail.com

Look forward to talking with you!!

S.

Mystery Location #4 [Kansas City Child Photographer]

It's Tuesday and time for the 4th Mystery Location Session...this one has a bit of mystery in it for me, too.....because I know what I want to do, I just havent found the place I can do it yet. So a bonus gift to the person who can provide me a place to do the session!! (that means that if you are the winner, you get a free gift from me and if you arent the winner, but you have a place that fits my needs, you get a session, too)

This week's Mystery Location is....a field. Thats right, but not any field....I want a field of either wheat/alfalfa or tall long "wild" grass. I'm picturing a pretty farm, etc.... I just need one is all.

The time of day depends on the location I find, so its open ended.
Any age, as long as the child can sit unassisted (there will be furniture involved).

Clothing: either denim or sundresses...vintage looks...boots or bare feet...

As a reminder: the first person who emails me at susanrobichaud@gmail.com with an answer to "Why I want the session", WINS....the session is free and you will receive 10% off your order, as well.

Good luck!!

*You may reach Susan at 816-260-1529 or via email to susanrobichaud@gmail.com*
Thx~
S.

The New Kid on the Block [Kansas City Newborn and Family Photographer]

Another newborn session from weeks ago that I have neglected to blog about.....this little one is the 5th boy for the B. family and another probably already a great athlete like his brothers!

All Mom wanted was some of those "Anne Geddes" newborn shots that I am known for....and for 2 days, and 10+ hours we tried to get him to sleep for us...no dice. He didnt cry, just observed me, and his brothers, and his parents....we even tried plying him with Subway, but he didnt go for it.

So, we got great shots of him with his parents and his brothers and alone...and out of 45 images, I think his eyes are closed in like 3.....but he may have been blinking now that I think about it....

Welcome to the world Baby M! It *is* worth being awake for.....

Mystery Location #3 [Kansas City Child and Family Photographer]

*****I thought I posted this already, but its lost in cyberspace.....The winner of Mystery Session #3 was Beth S.....and Kara C....who both contacted me at the same time.....proving that it still is good to email whenever you see it, b/c I might just give away 2 sessions!!!******


It's Tuesday and time for the 3rd Mystery Location Session...


This week's Mystery Location is All About Urban....but not my usual spots..no, this time will be in a KC landmark location, with lots of great opportunities for cool shots of your kids and/or family.

A morning or evening session will work this time.
Ages over 5 (busy area of town, close to streets, so no dashing toddlers please), or a family session would work best. No more than 2 kids if under 8. (like I said, it can be a busy area and I'm not risking lives for portraits).

Clothing: hip, trendy, colorful. Skateboards, pettiskirts, rock tees and Converse...think fashion, think magazines, think URBAN STYLE!!

As a reminder: the first person who emails me at susanrobichaud@gmail.com with an answer to "Why I want the session", WINS....the session is free and you will receive 10% off your order, as well.

Good luck!!

*You may reach Susan at 816-260-1529 or via email to susanrobichaud@gmail.com*

Mystery Location Theater, Take 2 [Kansas City Child and Family Photographer]

****Thanks everyone who emailed/called and texted about the Mystery Session #2! The winner of this session is Kari Y., who proved that the early blogger bird definitely got the worm this week!

The next Mystery Session will be announced here on the Blog only on Tuesday July 7, 2009, between 8am and noon….so bookmark the blog and check back!******************************************************************


Mystery Location Theater, Take 2 ...

Location Description: riverfront with view of downtown, in Kansas City.

Time of Day: morning session, 930-1030 start time.

Best for: Any age, but would be fun to have ages that could be trusted to be NEAR the river and not dive in. This is not required though... Families are good, too. No age limit.

Clothing suggested: clothing with contrast (black, navy, denim), that will realy POP againsy the KC skyline and river. No white, too pasty for this location. I will provide cool chairs, etc.

Session will be open for one week or until someone books it (remember, its FREE!!).

Go.....

Mystery Session #1 {Kansas City Child Photographer}

****Thanks everyone who emailed about the Mystery Session #1! The response today has been overwhelming (um, seriously, like 100 responses so far) and the winner of this session is Amy R., who emailed me about 5 seconds after the announcement, LOL.

The next Mystery Session will be announced here on the Blog only on Tuesday June 30, 2009, between 8am and noon….so bookmark the blog and check back!

******************************************************************
Here we go...I'm stoked!!

Mystery Location Theater, Take 1 (sorry, big MST3K fan here)...

Location Description: old abandoned barn in the Northland. This is right near my house and I pass it everyday. I have always wanted to shoot around it but havent.

Time of Day: morning session, 930-1030 start time.

Best for: 1-2 kids only, no families. Babies who can sit on their own, but not crawl or kids older than 2. No age limit.

Clothing suggested: denim, white sundresses, boots, pettis (I can provide), solid colors with some cool accessories.

Session will be open for one week or until someone books it (remember, its FREE!!).

Go.....

Mystery Location Sessions {Kansas City Child and Family Photographer}

I’ve been living here in the Northland for almost 8 years….been in the child photography business for 5 of those years. And yet there are still lots of places I haven’t used for any sessions…..or used maybe once many years ago. Why don’t I use them? I don’t know….some part of it is laziness; it’s easier to go where I know. Another part of it is dependability; its best to take your clients to places that you know will be comfortable and pleasant for their portrait experience.

But, I get these itches that I need to scratch…and I can’t afford my kids going rates for “modeling” for me..so, what’s a girl to do?

Oh yeah, give aways!

So, here’s the deal….each week or so, I will post a general description of the place I want to have a session….and the first person to respond (email is always faster to me, I have my “Crackberry” on all the time) with a “Why I want the session”, gets a complimentary session (a $500 value)! No prints are included, but a 10% discount on purchases, is.

The sessions will be held during the week, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday….usually morning, but some evenings (I will include the times in the description). It just depends on where the location is and what time of day I think would be best.

*if you have previously participated in my “model calls”, you are regrettably not eligible, as I would like to give others the chance to have a session.)

The sessions themselves will also be tagged with whether a baby/child/siblings or family can enter…some locations would be ideal for a family session, some would be better suited for 1-2 kids only. Just check out the descriptions carefully J

The first of the Mystery Sessions will be announced Tuesday, June 23, 2009 on the blog….so bookmark it and check…it will be up by 12pm.

Good luck!!